You cannot keep your out-of-state license plates if you become a resident of North Dakota. Some state may require you to surrender your old plates before you can obtain new ones.

For those who purchase a new vehicle, you are permitted to drive your vehicle for up to 5 days before registering it. If you are pulled over, be sure to carry proof of ownership to avoid any fees or penalties.

If you need a temporary permit for your vehicle, you can obtain them from:

Law enforcement offices

Local dealerships

Motor vehicle offices

These temporary permits must be obtained in person and are valid for 30 days.

Types of License Plates in North Dakota

If you don’t require any kind of special licnese plate or personalization, you can register your plates and receive a randomly gerenated plate number. Your license plates will be issued using the standard plates for the state of North Dakota.

Alternatively, you can purchase specialty plates for:

Military Awards

Clubs & Organizations

Charities & Causes

University Alumni

These specialty license plates have added fees in addition to the standard fees for registering your vehicle.

If you want to make you plates even more personalize, it is possible to choose your own plate number. You are permitted to use only numbers and letters for these personlaizd plates.

To check and see if your license plates are availalbe, look it up online.

Placement of License Plates in North Dakota

When you have finally received your license plates for North Dakota, you must place both plates, one on the front and the other at the rear or your vehicle. If you have a motorcycle, you will only have one license plate to apply to the rear.

Additionally, you must place the decal stickers on the top right corner of your license plate. These stickers must be clearly visible as the indicate when your license plates expire.

Renewing License Plates in North Dakota

You must renew your validation stickers before your license plates expires. Renewals are simple and straight forward. You can choose to renew your license plates online, by mail, or in person.

If you’re forgetful, you can recieve notifications from the NDDOT reminding you that your license plate will expire soon and its time to send in some money for renewal.

Replacing License Plates in North Dakota

License plates that are lost or stolen should be replaced immediately. Although you are not obliged to report stolen plates to the police, you should do so anyway. This prevents other people from using them illegally.

To obtain new plates, you must go to the NDDOT and do the following:

Complete Form SFN 2872: Application for Certificate of Title & Registration

Provide proof of insurance

Show a valid ID (i.e. driver’s license or passport)

Payment:

License plate, registration card, & decal fee: $5

Registration card & decal: $3

You cannot request the same plates if thye have been stolen. For damaged plates, bring them in, fill out the necessary forms to replace them, and you can receive new plates using your old plate number.

Transfer Plates in North Dakota

If you no longer require your license plates, you are able to transfer them to someone else (with conditions). Here are the conditions for trasnferring your plates:

You can transfer license plates from an old car to a new car

You can transfer license plates to a spouse

You cannot transfer your plates to someone who buys you car

Additional fees may apply to transfer your plates, which could include, taxes, services fees, and title fees.

Surrender Plates in North Dakota

In some cases, you may have to surrender your license plates in North Dakota if:

Move to new state/country

Apply for a new type of license plate (i.e. specialty plate)

Cancel your vehicle’s insurance

You must contact the NDDOT imedaite if you are to surrender you license plates in North Dakota.

Fees for License Plates in North Dakota

There is a standard registration fee which applies to your vehicle’s registration with the NDDOT. These fees are based on your vehicle’s weight, year, and a few other variables. You’ll also have to pay the following:

Applicable taxes

Title fees

Service fees

New Plate Fees: determined by vehicle weight

Additional fees may be required such as when you are applying for personalized, disabled, or specialty license plates. Remember, whenever you have to renew your vehicle, you must pay additional fees for these specialty plates in addition to the standard renewal rates.

Looking Up License Plates in North Dakota

One of the best ways to see if a plate number is available is by looking up license plates online. As long as you stay within the character limit for North Dakota’s personalized plates, you can find the peferfect combination of letters and numbers to express yourself for on the road.